Archive for May, 2016

Rupert Grint and Nick Frost to star in Sky comedy “Sick Note”

Sky Atlantic have announced their new comedy Sick Note will star Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint, Shaun of the Dead’s Nick Frost and Don Johnson of Miami Vice fame. The stellar cast and crew for this… read more

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Rupert Grint and Nick Frost to star in Sky comedy “Sick Note”

Sky Atlantic have announced their new comedy Sick Note will star Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint, Shaun of the Dead’s Nick Frost and Don Johnson of Miami Vice fame.

The stellar cast and crew for this production bode well for the series. Sick Note will be directed by Little Britain’s Matt Lipsey and is being produced by British production company King Bert – founded by David Walliams, Miranda Hart and producer of Absolutely Fabulous, Jo Sargent.

Grint will play Daniel Glass who is failing at life. A compulsive liar stuck in a doomed relationship and a dead end job. To make matters worse, his boss Kenny West (Don Johnson), has Glass completely under his thumb.

Diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, it would seem to be rock bottom for Glass. However, he suddenly finds a new lust for life when people start treating him better. When Dr. Ian Glennis (Frost) discovers his diagnosis was wrong, Daniel has to decide whether to come clean, or embrace his new life with this terrible lie.

Premiering in January 1977, ABC’s original TV adaptation of Alex Haley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Roots remains one of the most watched events in U.S. television history. With episodes drawing around 100 million viewers back then,… read more

More on Roots

Premiering in January 1977, ABC’s original TV adaptation of Alex Haley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Rootsremains one of the most watched events in U.S. television history. With episodes drawing around 100 million viewers back then, it’s no surprise that public anticipation for A+E Studios’ new reboot of the show, which premiered on the History Channel in the U.S. last night (30.05.16), was so highly anticipated.

With an all-star cast including British actors Malachi Kirby (Eastenders, Doctor Who), Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors, Match Point), and Matthew Goode (Downton Abbey, The Imitation Game), plus Forest Whitaker, Anna Paquin, Laurence Fishburne, Mekhi Phifer, and James Purefoy, the rebooted miniseries follows the history of Kunta – an African slave sold to America – and the fate of his descendants.

Matthew Goode and Malachi Kirby

Tactically premiering on Memorial Day, the show’s pilot was met with almost universal claim, receiving praise for its ‘remarkable performances’, ‘propulsive, plot-driven narrative’, ’emotional depth’, ‘stunning cinematography’, and ‘historical accuracy’, and currently holds a Metascore of 81%.

Forest Whitaker and Malachi Kirby

Not everyone was happy with the new production, though. In a viral Instagram video, veteran rapper Snoop Dogg expressed his exasperation that America’s mainstream media, through shows like Roots and films like 12 Years a Slave, only tells stories based on the plights and hardships of black people, rather than their achievements and triumphs.

With the caption “Message”, Snoop Dogg told the camera:

“No disrespect, but I can’t watch no motherf***ing more black movies where n***ers get dogged down … I don’t understand America, they just wanna keep showing the abuse that we took hundreds and hundreds of years ago, but guess what? We’re taking the same abuse. Think about that part. When are y’all gonna make a motherf***ing series about the success that black folks is having?”

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Should the BBC axe Top Gear? Vote now and have your say!

So… Can we all take a moment to talk about the literal car crash that was Sunday’s episode of Top Gear?

The onscreen debut of new presenting duo Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc seems to have been universally panned, being branded ‘boring’, ‘wooden’, and just plain rubbish. Yes, we watched it, and we must admit, it was a struggle getting to the end. And don’t go thinking there was some silent majority watching at home and loving it. The numbers reveal that this first episode of Top Gear‘s 23rd season attracted its lowest opening show viewing figures in a decade, drawing 4.4 million viewers with a peak of 4.7 million, while the last series with Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May bowed out with 5.8 million viewers. Ouch.

With Chris Evans locked in to present for the next three years, we can’t see how the show will survive past this series, considering most of the online criticism was directed at his hyperactive shouting.

Can we get Chris Evans to stop shouting please?! It’s not TFI Friday any more #TopGear#tappingout

So, in light of the first episode being a resounding failure, and considered alongside the BBC’s recent budget cuts, we have to ask; shouldn’t they go ahead and axe Top Gear? We feel it would save a lot of money, not to mention what’s left of the show’s reputation… Go on, have your vote below!

More on Alan Partridge

REVIEW: Alan Partridge’s Scissored Isle is Partridge at his best

Steve Coogan’s latest collaboration with Sky, a documentary presented by the infamous Alan Partridge uncovering the torturous reality faced by the lower classes (or, as Partridge refers to them, “chavs”), is Partridge at his best: a subtle and clever satire.

The documentary begins with its premise, which is Partridge saying sorry for accidentally calling members of the public “chavs” on more than one occasion. He is genuinely repentant, but – of course – not entirely sure what he has done wrong. It is classic Partridge. In a bid to understand those who he has insulted, he sets off on a journey to understand the working class.

It is a wonderful mockumentary. From the camera angles, to the deliberate use of over-the-top-hooks and to the subjects covered (anyone want to see another montage of the fallen industrial Manchester?), it mocks all the presenting quirks of documentary hosts, low production values and the use of undeservedly emotive language. It examines subjects from an angle that is not quite accurate – Partridge is crestfallen to see the state of Manchester, naturally ignoring that the city is one of Britain’s top performers in regards to economic growth and gentrification.

There are some genuinely laugh-out-loud funny highlights. It doesn’t take long for Partridge to start getting involved with some typical working class jobs, such as a Tescos checkout assistant. Much to his delight, he is extremely talented at scanning items. Another strong point is Partridge’s attempts to integrate into a Mancunian “gang” of young boys, during which he lures them out with cigarettes and takes a fateful nibble from a pill at a house party. The hangover the next day is brilliant.

A typically hypocritical moment is where Partridge attempts to hound down a loan shark who has cheated clients into poverty. Upon learning that the loan shark is a fan of his radio show, Partridge gives him a quick telling off and lets him go, a sheepish expression on his face. Where have we seen that before, I wonder?

An Alan Partridge documentary is not a documentary in that you learn about the subject intended, but the mind of Patridge is insightful all the same. The criticism is adept, yet Scissored Isle never loses its humour. If more television were like this, without resorting to cheapened laughs at the expense of a loss of conscience, television – and particularly comedy – would be a better place.

More on Netflix

What’s new to Netflix UK this June

It’s that time of the month again, when we in TV land have the joy of revealing to you what new programming you’ll be treated to by Netflix. The big news this June is Orange is the New Black season four, plus the second season of teen horror reboot Scream, and the latest Netflix original movie starring Paul Rudd, Craig Roberts and Selena Gomez, The Fundamentals of Caring. But there’s also a whole lot of other TV shows and movies we’re super excited about, so without further ado, here’s the full rundown of what’s coming to Netflix UK in June!

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Bad Education

From 01.06.16After School: Lucky or Not – Season 2 Pokémon: XY: Kalos Quest Bob Ross: Beauty Is Everywhere: Collection 1 Firaaq A Country Called Home Suburban Girl Jeff Dunham: All Over the Map Tab Hunter Confidential Eisenhower’s Secret War: Season 1 Mexican Gangster Listening Off Camera: Series 1 Blow Out Alien Autopsy: Fact or Fiction? Between the Folds Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Saddle Up North v South: Long Time Coming Velvet: Season 3 Once Bitten Raiders! Breaking the Magician’s Code: Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed: Seasons 1 & 2 Deals in the Desert: Season 1 Off Camera: Series 2 Road to Victory: Season 1 Love Cells: Seasons 1 & 2 Only the Dead (Dis)Honesty: The Truth About Lies Bad Education: Seasons 1 & 2 Conspiracy Theory: Did We Land On The Moon? Magnificent Century: Season 1 Steak Revolution The Propaganda Game Jungle Book Safari: Season 1 B.A. Pass Fresh Dressed Los heroes del Mal UFOs: The Best Evidence Ever (Caught on Tape) Confessions of a Brazilian Call Girl The Resurrection of Jake the Snake Game of Silence: Season 1 The Frozen Chosen Évocateur: The Morton Downey Jr. Movie Kajarya Black Man White Skin Rebellious Flower Ilegal Mia and Me: Season 2 Spy Time 009 RE:Cyborg

Titanic Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages Mystic Pizza Good Witch: Season 1 Meatballs 4 72 Dangerous Places: Season 1 Walter Latham’s Kings of Comedy Primetime Odd Squad: Season 1 Jugni For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots FITTEST ON EARTH Noble, My Love: Season 1 The Strange Calls: Season 1 Operation Proposal: Season 1 Sweet Micky for President To Be Continued Durarara!!: Season 1 Cuba: The Forgotten Revolution Love Bird: Season 1 Delhi in a Day Speed Sisters The Eternal The Mask You Live In Finding Your Element with Sir Ken Robinson Saving Sirga: Journey into the Heart of a Lion: Season 1

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The 10 best British crime movies you’ve never seen

We all know about Get Carter, Snatch and Kidulthood as classic commonwealth crime capers… But what if you’ve seen all the popular titles and have an appetite for more? To celebrate the release of violent new thriller Hooligan Legacy, here are some forgotten gangster gems for fans of geezers and guns that fell under the radar or got lost in time… Just in time for the long weekend!

Kicking off the list we follow committed police inspector, Harry Martineau. He rightly guesses a recently escaped local criminal will head home to Manchester to pick up the spoils from his last job. Martineau soon after investigates a murder during a street robbery which seems to lead back to the same villain. Martineau discovers the criminal wasn’t working alone and becomes obsessed with tracking down the escaped killer and his gang.

A British film for the ages that is frequently overlooked, this Maurice Procter adaptation is a true classic film noir with masterful acting from cast members Stanley Baker (Zulu) and John Crawford (The Enforcer) and was inspired by British new wave cinema of the time.

From director Charles Crichton (A Fish Called Wanda) comes the story of Peter Rayston, a man who has been in and out of prison most of his life and after being released for the eighth time, he immediately goes back to his old life, providing for his expensive tastes by executing a series of daring burglaries.

Legal and financial hassles upset the smooth production of this crime story, but it doesn’t show on the screen with great performances from Judi Dench (James Bond) and Tom Bell (The Krays). Based on the real life cat burglar Peter Scott.

Based on the 1970 Laurence Henderson novel of the same name, this drama focuses on jealous convict Harry Lomart, as he learns that his wife has been impregnated by another. He is so enraged that he busts out of prison with fellow inmate, Birdy Williams, and the two set out to find and kill her, taking out anyone who stands in their way.

Sitting Target is not only a great adaptation, but a fantastic piece in its own right. The movie also filmed its prison sequences in the same abandoned penitentiary used in The Italian Job, the Kilmainham Jail. Starring Jill St. John (Diamonds Are Forever), Ian McShane (Sexy Beast), and the late, great Oliver Reed (Gladiator, Oliver!).

The man behind Get Carter, Mike Hodges, shows that even late into his career he can still deliver a dark, complex and compelling thriller. Set around London’s gambling world, the story follows a struggling writer, Jack Manfred, who takes a job as a croupier to support his art. Knowing the dangers of the cards, he is adamant about remaining a professional outsider, but the temptations of the game inevitably swallow him deeper than he could have ever anticipated.

Starring Alex Kingston (Doctor Who) and Clive Owen (The Bourne Identity) in his breakout role, Croupier is reminiscent of the great British crime dramas from years before, yet still manages to be highly original. Universally adored by critics and currently holding a 98% positive score on Rotten Tomatoes, this film as an absolute must see.

Filmmaker Paul McGuigan (Lucky Number Slevin) chronicles the rise and fall of a prominent and particularly ruthless English gangster, starting as a young, ambitious apprentice in the 1960s as he learns the secrets of the trade.

Universally praised by critics for its style and great performances from Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange), Paul Bettany (Avengers: Age of Ultron), and David Thewlis (War Horse), Gangster No 1 is a violent and exhilarating look on the English gangster scene, spanning through several decades and with characters inspired by real life mobsters.

Also from the turn of the millennium we have a film by John Irvin (The Dogs of War) and starring Michael Caine (The Italian Job) and Martin Landau (Ed Wood). The story follows Billy “Shiner” Simpson (Caine), a boxing promoter who is banned from legitimate fights until he finds great promise in his son Eddie. However, when the night of the fight sees Eddie killed, Simpson suspects rival Frank Spedding (Landau) and seeks revenge, only to grow mad as his suspicions draw closer to home.

With high acclaim for Caine’s acting and also featuring Frances Barber (Mr. Holmes) and Andy Serkis (King Kong), Shiner is a ferocious dramatic piece about revenge, redemption and deception.

It’s 3:07AM and two girls burst into a rundown toilet: one in ripped clothing, crying her eyes out, and the other tending to her bruised face that’s starting to swell. A man lies in his bathroom, bleeding to death, and is later found by his son, who wants answers. The two girls must spend the next 24 hours trying to flee London, on the run from violent men of their past.

Starring Lorraine Stanley (Made in Dagenham), Georgia Groome (Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging) and Sam Spruell (Legend), and dealing with themes of runaway youth and child prostitution, this is an extremely hard-hitting drama riddled with tension and grit.

This well received prison break movie directed by Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) centres around Frank Perry, an institutionalised convict, 14 years into a life sentence without parole. When his estranged daughter falls ill, he is determined to make peace with her before it’s too late. He develops an ingenious escape plan, and recruits a dysfunctional band of misfits with unique skills, all united by a desire to escape their hellhole of an existence.

With a stellar English cast comprising of Brian Cox (Troy), Damian Lewis (Homeland), Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love), Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones) and Dominic Cooper (Captain America: The First Avenger), this surprisingly smart tale of subterfuge was inspired by the short story “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” and, like Sitting Target, was also shot at the abandoned Kilmainham Jail.

Starring such names as Robin Hill (The Kill List), Julia Deakin (Hot Fuzz) and Michael Smiley (The Worlds End), this modern British triumph tells the story of a father and son recently released from prison and desperately seeking to unmask the police informant within their midst, who threatens to take down their business. As a result, a tale of recrimination, betrayal and murder ensues.

Amazingly, this gem did not perform well at the box office, earning just short of £7,000. But despite the lack of interest from viewers, it has been praised by critics who commend director Ben Wheatley (Sightseers, High Rise) for his orchestration of the piece. Any aspiring filmmaker will immediately appreciate the quality of this movie, which was shot with only £21,000 and took just 8 days to film!

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Hooligan Legacy (2016)

Finishing the list is a new hidden gem in the British gangster genre. Get ready for a visceral story of friendship, betrayal and revenge when four men, Ronnie, Jimmy, Jack and Chris – no strangers to unlawful transgressions – execute a daring football stadium robbery. Their dynamic soon turns sour when the leader of the group becomes paranoid and begins to self destruct. Years later and after a stint in prison, Ronnie is out for revenge, looking for the old friend who took the years away from him.

To celebrate the home release of Hooligan Legacy courtesy of Precision Pictures, we have a gritty DVD bundle up for grabs featuring Rise of the Krays, The Loft, War Pigs and Into the Grizzly Maze.

. For your chance to win, simply follow us on Twitter, and retweet the Hooligan Legacy competition post before June 13th 2016.

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Terms & Conditions

Competitions are open to all UK residents aged 18 years old and over except our employees, the companies or organisations with whom the competition or offer is being run, their agents, or anyone directly connected with the promotion.

We reserve in all cases the right to replace the stated prizes with other prizes that we consider to be of broadly equivalent value. We offer no cash alternative for non-cash prizes, and prize winners must accept prizes in the form offered. Prizes are not refundable or transferrable.

The closing date for receipt of entries is June 13th 2016. The winner will be drawn at random from all valid entries, and will be notified by email.

All entrants to competitions and offers are deemed to have accepted these rules and agree to be bound by them, and agree to co-operate in any publicity that may arise which may include their name being used on Facebook, websites, magazines or mobile services at any time as a result of the competition.

More on Features

Celeb mugshots: can you believe all of these stars have been arrested?

Statistically one in every two celebrities will get arrested at some point in their lives.

That may be a made-up fact, but from the amount of mugshots we’ve encountered, it might as well be true. It doesn’t matter if you’re old or young, rich or very rich, A-list or Z-list – the little devil on your shoulder is just that much more persuasive in Hollywood. With all that fame and money, what else is there to do but turn to crime?

Arrested in 2014 for malicious injury to property and, resisting or obstructing officers

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Amanda Bynes

Arrested in 2012, 2013 and 2014 for driving under the influence, criminal possession of marijuana, attempted tampering with evidence, reckless endangerment and, a second DUI.

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Jim Toth and Reese Witherspoon

Toth arrested in 2013 for driving under the influence and failing to maintain a lane. Witherspoon arrested on the same occasion, 2013, for disorderly conduct.

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Paris Hilton

Arrested in 2006, 2007 and 2010 for driving under the influence, reckless driving and, suspicion of cocaine possession.

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Michelle Rodriguez

Arrested in 2002 and 2005 for assault and driving under the influence.

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Matthew McConuaghey

Arrested in 1999 for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

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Nicole Richie

Arrested in 2003 and 2006 for possession of heroin and driving with a revoked license and, driving under the influence.

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Khloe Kardashian

Arrested in 2007 for driving under the influence.

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Vince Vaughn

Arrested in 2001 for assault.

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Hayley Joel Osment

Arrested in 2006 for driving under the influence and marijuana possession.

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Robert Downey Jr.

Arrested in 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001 for speeding, possession of heroin, cocaine and a handgun, trespassing, missing a required drugs test, possession of cocaine (again) and valium, and, being under the influence of drugs.

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Lindsay Lohan

Arrested in 2007, 2010 and 2012 for possession of cocaine, two DUIs, driving with a suspended license, missing a mandatory DUI hearing, violating terms of probation, reckless driving and, giving false information to a police officer.

Do you know of any film or TV stars that we’ve missed? Tweet us @tvguideshows and let us know!

More on BoJack Horseman

WATCH: Netflix unveils BoJack Horseman Season 3 date announcement

Fans, rejoice! Everyone’s favourite equine 90s sitcom star is coming back to Netflix for a third season, and it’s sure to be one heck of a ride.

Confirmed to return to our screens on July 22nd, the new season of the adult animation will see BoJack (voiced by Will Arnett) grappling with his legacy.

BoJack struggles with how he’ll ultimately be remembered by his fans and what lasting impact he’s made on those closest to him, while also trudging through an increasingly turbulent Oscar campaign for his star-making turn in the Secretariat biopic.

Plus of course there’ll be plenty of self-loathing, whiskey, failed relationships, silly puns and talking animal jokes, celebrity cameos, and all the other stuff that everybody loves about BoJack Horseman.

Matt LeBlanc warns Top Gear fans: Prepare for disappointment

Former F.R.I.E.N.D.S actor Matt LeBlanc has warned existing fans of Top Gear that they may not be pleased with the motoring show’s new direction when it returns to BBC Two this Sunday (May 29)…. read more

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Matt LeBlanc warns Top Gear fans: Prepare for disappointment

Former F.R.I.E.N.D.S actor Matt LeBlanc has warned existing fans of Top Gear that they may not be pleased with the motoring show’s new direction when it returns to BBC Two this Sunday (May 29).

Speaking of what changes will come with the new presenting lineup of he and Chris Evans, LeBlanc told Vulture:

“Is it the same Top Gear? No. Those guys are gone. We’re here now, and we’re going to do the best job we can. We’re not them, they’re not us. Will it be better? Will it be worse? It’ll be different, but it’ll still have that same feel. It’ll still have elements of the old show present, but if you only want to watch ‘Top Gear Jeremy Clarkson’, then it’s probably not for you.”

LeBlanc continued: “I’m not him, he’s not me. From what I’ve seen so far, the show’s working. It’s entertaining. If you want to be entertained with a car show, I think it’s a good show. [But] it’s not Chris and I doing Jeremy Clarkson impressions”.

In other words, LeBlanc has come out and confirmed our suspicions that what we really liked about the old show left the BBC building along with Clarkson, Hammond and May. And we’re not alone in our doubts. Just take the teaser trailer below, which had received 5,267 thumbs up vs 11,746 thumbs down on YouTube at the time this piece was written.

“If you’re changing the presenter lineup of a show, that’s pretty much change enough. There was nothing wrong with the show at all; there was nothing wrong with the presentation of it. It’s just that something went wrong with one of the presenters … So why would we change it?”, Evans said to Louise Minchin.

One change we are aware of is that each episode of the new Top Gear will welcome two celebrity guests as opposed to one, to add an element of competition. Gordon Ramsay and Jesse Eisenberg will be the first to go head-to-head, which, to be fair, seems worth tuning in for by itself.